GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease. The name comes from the English abbreviation of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, so it sounds foreign. But it is actually common - as it concerns as much as 10-20 percent. of the population - a condition most often associated with heartburn.

GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as reflux or heartburn. This is because the most characteristic symptom of GERD is the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.Its acidic reaction causes a burning sensation and an unpleasant burning sensation over the breastbone , i.e. heartburn.

Acid reflux disease is suspected when these symptoms occur at least twice a week. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order an esophageal pH measurement. This is a 24-hour test that measures acid levels in your esophagus.

Reasons GERD

A disease called GERD is a disease of the digestive system caused by a malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. The most common cause of such a situation is its abnormal contraction or insufficiency, which means that after the food passes to the stomach, the sphincter does not close, stopping the food, but opens, causing it to regurgitate.

Another cause of GERD may be pregnancy. The displacement of the internal organs due to the enlarging uterus causes the stomach to compress. The content rises to its mouth, and because pregnancy hormones relax the muscles, including the esophageal sphincter, reflux occurs.

When talking about the causes of GERD, one cannot forget about lifestyle and eating habits. Research shows thatcertain foods and drinks contribute to acid reflux and the associated heartburn . Smoking and obesity caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise are also very common causes of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

What are the symptoms of GERD?

The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. It's a burning pain or burning sensation in the esophagus, chest, starting behind the breastbone and moving up to the neck and throat.

Heartburn usually starts right after a meal and can last for several hours. Burning intensifies when we lie down, exercise or bend down after lunch or dinner, i.e. we additionally stimulate the stomach to release its contents either by gravity or by pressure increasing the pressure inside the abdominal cavity.

A frequent accompanying ailmentheartburn is the actual regurgitation of stomach contents thatleaves a sour or bitter taste in your mouth . We are talking then about reflux with downpour, and sometimes even about vomiting. Often in such situations, inflammation of the esophageal mucosa occurs - usually it is located in the area where the esophagus meets the stomach, as a result of acid digestive juices flowing back into the esophagus.

The very serious symptoms of GERD that require immediate treatment, even surgery, are difficulty swallowing food,weight loss or upper gastrointestinal bleeding .

It is worth adding that the symptom of GERD, although not always associated with this disease, may also be cough, hoarseness, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections - laryngitis, otitis media. The cause is irritation of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract by acidic gastric contents.

Can GERD be treated?

The simplest and most popular way to get rid of heartburn is to use antacids (including magnesium and aluminum compounds, alginic acid, sucralfate, sodium bicarbonate) or agents that block its production (e.g. proton pump inhibitors). Some patients are prescribed the use of prokinetic drugs, i.e. drugs that accelerate the passage of food from the stomach further towards the intestines, which reduces the risk of its reflux into the esophagus.

Drugs that work well in the treatment of GERD are also herbal medicines,containing e.g. Wild mallow, protecting the digestive tract, chamomile, ginger, lemon balm and licorice.

However, all this is only symptomatic treatment. To get rid of the source of GERD, lifestyle changes and dietary changes must be made. Doctors recommend, first of all, avoiding heavy meals,limiting the consumption of food and drinks that promote heartburn , i.e. fats, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and acidic fruits, e.g. citrus, which can irritate the damaged membrane esophageal mucosa. Patients with GERD should also eat their last meal at least 2-3 hours before going to bed.

Weight reduction is also necessary as obesity increases intra-abdominal pressure leading to reflux. Studies have shown that a reduction in body weight by an average of about 13 kg in six months causes complete relief of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in 65% of patients. people.

Worth knowing

GERD is a stand-alone disease, but it is often associated with other conditions such as hiatal hernia. We are talking about her when the upper partof the stomach moves to the chest through the resulting opening in the diaphragm. A hiatal hernia can weaken the sphincters and increase the risk of reflux.

What To Do When Medication For GERD Does Not Help?

Sometimes, lifestyle changes and medications aren't enough to relieve GERD symptoms. The doctor may then order surgery to restore the anti-reflux functions of the sphincter. Operations of this type are carried out in Poland very often. One of them is the so-called fundoplication in the Nissen way. It is alaparoscopic procedure that removes the hiatal hernia and enhances the operation of the lower esophageal sphincter . For this purpose, during the procedure, the doctor "creates" a fold around the esophagus from the sutured front and back walls of the stomach.

Another method is an endoscopic procedure to introduce substances into the esophagus to increase the volume of the lower sphincter, which also prevents reflux.

Read: GERD: A proper diet is the basis for the treatment of unpleasant ailments

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Gastrology